IMF / IMFC PRESSER

The world’s financial leaders vowed to work together support global economic growth and address risks, including trade tensions, high global debt and rising financial vulnerabilities. IMF

Subject to the Terms of Usages of UNifeed, UNifeed materials are available free of charge for news purposes only. UNifeed materials may not be sold or redistributed to third parties without the prior written consent of the UN or the UN entity which is source of the UNifeed material. All users of UNifeed materials must provide due credit to the United Nations or any UN entity source(s) in their use and broadcast of UNifeed materials.

1. Wide shot, IMF Governors gathered for photo
2. Close-up, IMF MD Christine Lagarde talking with Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia
3. Close up, photographers
4. Med shot, IMF governors posing for photo
5. Wide shot, IMF governors posing for photo and start to leave
6. Wide shot, opening of IMFC news conference
7. Med shot, photographers and journalists
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF):
“From many corners as well, there are concerns about, in a way, non-directly trade-related issues, which impact on trade. And, that has to do with the adequate protection of intellectual property, the level playing field of all operators involved in trade. And, we all need to be cognizant of those issues. And, my key concern as head of the IMF is to help in the process of resolving those issues before they escalate to a point where it would hamper growth stability.”
9. Wide shot, photographers and reporters
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lesetja Kganyago, IMFC Chair:
“Trade tensions are not to the benefit of anyone. There can never – if there is a trade conflict -- there could never be winners. We could all only be losers. And, it is within that context that it is important that as a global community, we keep trade open, that we work within the multilateral system.”
11. UPSOUND (English) Reporter asking question:
“You know, there’s this African proverb that talks about elephants, that when elephants fight, it’s the grass that gets trampled. And, I wonder if you use any African proverbs in your communications.”
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF):
“I have no idea whether it’s an African proverb or not. But, my recollection is that it goes something like, ‘Trust grows at the speed of a coconut tree and falls at the speed of a coconut.’”
13. Med shot, journalists at news conference
14.Wide shot, IMF officials at end of news conference

STORYLINE

The world’s financial leaders vowed to work together support global economic growth and address risks, including trade tensions, high global debt and rising financial vulnerabilities.

The International Monetary Fund’s policymaking body met in Washington on Saturday (21 Apr) and issued a communique calling for cooperation to secure the recovery, promote inclusion, and expand opportunities.

Speaking to reporters in Washington after the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said, “From many corners as well, there are concerns about, in a way, non-directly trade-related issues, which impact on trade. And, that has to do with the adequate protection of intellectual property, the level playing field of all operators involved in trade. And, we all need to be cognizant of those issues. And, my key concern as head of the IMF is to help in the process of resolving those issues before they escalate to a point where it would hamper growth stability.”